Liverpool are reportedly closing in on the signing of Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo, with the Japan international set to become Arne Slot’s first signing.
Liverpool are entering a new era under Slot, who has replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager after almost nine years in charge, and reports from Japan claim that Kubo is close to completing a big money move to Anfield.
According to Japanese outlet Sponichi, the deal is ‘in the final stages’ after the player’s representatives travelled to England. Liverpool are set to pay around £55million for Kubo, with the report stating he has been chosen as Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor.
Salah has entered the final year of his contract, along with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Mirror Football understands Liverpool have ruled out selling him this summer even if he does not sign a new deal.
“On contractual situations, I don’t think it would be fair for me to talk about these,” Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes said earlier this month. “These are private matters between club and players.
“The only concern I and Arne have about situations is total commitment from the players to the cause for next season and we’re absolutely convinced that will be the case.” Kubo, meanwhile, is set to link up with his international teammate Wataru Endo at Anfield.
The 23-year-old had 12 goal involvements in 41 appearances for Sociedad last season as they finished sixth in LaLiga and qualified for the Europa League. And Zinedine Zidane is a fan of Kubo, having hailed his performances during a loan spell at Mallorca while he was on the books at Real Madrid.
“I think he’s having a good season,” Zidane said of Kubo back in 2019. “He’s playing a lot and that’s what we all wanted. He is a very interesting player, for the present and the future. I’m happy he’s doing well.
“Of course, if he were to stay at home tomorrow then that’d be better. But, I wish him the best and urge him to continue like this. His future, though, we won’t decide until the summer. That’s something for later.”
If Kubo completes a move to Anfield, he will become the seventh Japanese player to feature in the Premier League next season alongside Endo, Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma, Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu, new Crystal Palace signing Daichi Kamada and Southampton duo Yukinari Sugawara and Renato Takaoka.
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